Wind Power
As America transitions to clean renewable energy sources, Minnesota is poised to reap the benefits. Minnesota is currently the fourth-largest wind energy producer in the country. A strong state renewable electricity standard of 25 percent by 2025, as well as federal incentives such as production and investment tax credits, have allowed the wind industry in Minnesota to grow substantially. For the past five years, the wind industry in Minnesota has grown by over 30 percent every year. These projects serve as a driver for economic development in our rural communities.
While Minnesota has been strong in wind energy development, critical barriers still exist to the growth of the wind industry in Minnesota and around the country. These include limitations of transmission and distribution, challenges to grid interconnection and integration, and difficulties in financing for community-owned wind production. Senator Franken is working to promote federal policies that will help break down these barriers and allow the increase of wind energy development in Minnesota.
